The Top 25 Wide Receivers in the History of the NFL

The wide receiver position in the NFL is truly unique. While today's receiver is often cast as a 'me-first' prima donna, there is little doubt that no other player on the field has as much potential to change the nature of a game in a single play.

While the characters of the players have changed, the formula for being a great receiver has not: route-running, speed, body-control, and hands. These are the necessary elements, in varying degrees, of the NFL's ballerinas.

From Don Hutson to Larry Fitzgerald, here are the NFL's 25 greatest wide receivers of all-time.

24.) Larry Fitzgerald (2004-Present)

The youngest player on this list, Larry Fitzgerald has the chance to crack the top five if his career maintains its current trajectory.

A frightening blend of size, speed, and body-control, Fitzgerald has dethroned Randy Moss as the NFL's best wide receiver. Number 11's only potential career hiccup is the lack of an elite quarterback, now that Kurt Warner has retired.

23.) Henry Ellard (1983-1998)

Referred to by Deion Sanders as one of the best ever (I think he would know), Ellard sustained impressive numbers over a Cal Ripken-like 15 year career.

Known for his precision route-running and and jump-ball ability, Ellard had seven 1,000 yard seasons. Had Ellard played with some of his era's best quarterbacks (instead of Jim 'Chris' Everett, among others), Ellard's name would be mentioned along with the all-time greats.

19.) Charley Taylor (1964-1977)

Charley Taylor spent the first year of his career (1964) as a running back. After finishing in the top 10 in the league with 53 catches for over 800 yards, the Redskins coaching staff made the obvious switch and moved Taylor to wide receiver.

12 years later, Taylor retired holding every major receiving record, including receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. He was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.

15.) Art Monk (1980-1995)

If it weren't for the arrival of a guy named Jerry Rice in 1985, Monk may have been the receiver of the decade.

Ponder this: When Monk retired, he owned the record for most receptions in a career with 940. He also had the single season reception mark (106), as well as the most consecutive games with a catch record (183).

Though his longevity may work against him in some circles, there is little doubt that Monk set the gold standard at receiver in the first half of the 1980s.

14.) Tim Brown (1991-2007)

The longtime Raider great, and former Golden Domer, finished his career fourth in NFL history in receptions.

Not bad for a player who slogged away for years with average quarterbacks in Oakland. With the arrival of Rich Gannon in the late 1990s, Brown reaffirmed in everyone's minds just how great he could be.

13.) Don Maynard (1958-1973)

Joe Namath would've never become 'Broadway Joe' if not for a skinny Texan with an awkward drawl named Don Maynard.

After having been cut by the New York Giants in 1960, Maynard moved to the expansion AFL and caught on with the New York Titans (later the Jets.) One of only 20 players to play every year the AFL was in existence, Maynard still holds the record of yards per catch for players with over 600 receptions: 18.4.

11.) James Lofton (1978-1993)

James Lofton, who first made a name for himself on the track, was the first player in NFL history to surpass the 14,000 receiving yard mark. That only begins to tell his story.

Lofton became the first player to score a touchdown in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, which was truly a testament to his increased skills as he aged. At the time fo his retirement, he was the oldest player ever to have a 1,000 yard season receiving, as well as a 200 yard game receiving.

10.) Andre Reed (1985-2000)

Though Reed's accomplishments, much like Jim Kelly's, are often overlooked because of the Bills' Super Bowl failures, his numbers are undeniable.

Reed ranks in the top 11 in career receptions, yards, and receiving touchdowns. He also was prone to coming up big on the grandest stages: He is the Super Bowl's second all time receptions leader, and third in receiving yards.

8.) Michael Irvin (1988-1999)

If you've read Jeff Pearlman's book 'Boys Will be Boys,' your view of Michael Irvin may be slightly skewed, but there is no arguing the fact he was the second best wide receiver in the 1990s.

The five time Pro Bowler and three time Super Bowl champion was as physically dominating a receiver as the league has ever seen. If not for a career-ending neck injury in 2000, he would surely be higher any many statistical all-time lists.

7.) Terrell Owens (1996-Present)

Terrell Owens is the most physically dominating receiving in the history of the NFL. With outside linebacker size and punt returner speed, T.O. has kept defensive backs up at night for 15 seasons.

Unfortunately, his poor, and often bizarre attitude, have overshadowed an incredibly productive career. He's currently third on the all-time receiving yards and receiving touchdowns list and sixth on the receptions list. He still has a chance to move up on those stat boards if he can catch on with one more team.

6.) Don Hutson (1935-1945)

The most amazing statistics of any player on this list belong to Don Hutson. In the 1930s, the ball used in NFL games was rounder, more rugby-like than today's ball. Offenses were geared solely around their 3-4 back sets. Quarterbacks routinely threw the ball 5-7 times a game.

Consider this: at the time of his retirement, Hutson held 18 NFL records, a few of which still stand. He is also credited with inventing a majority of the modern receiver pass routes.

5.) Isaac Bruce (1994-2009)

While many at the position are brash and outspoken, Isaac Bruce has been introverted almost to a fault.

While reporters rarely can pull soundbites from Bruce, there is little doubt that he is one of the top five receivers in NFL history. Just look at the numbers: Bruce is currently fifth in career receptions and second in career receiving yards.

4.) Marvin Harrison (1996-2008)

Another soft-spoken wide receiver, Marvin Harrison teamed with Peyton Manning to complete the most formidable passing duo since Rice and Young.

Slight of stature, Harrison was best known for his breathtaking route running and ACL tearing double moves. Though he is still currently listed as a free agent, it is unlikely we will see him back in the NFL. He finished his career second in career receptions and fifth in caree receiving yards.

3.) Cris Carter (1987-2002)

It is a fairly common held belief that Cris Carter had the greatest set of hands in the history of the NFL. Though he wasn't the fastest the player, his elite route running and breathtaking hands made him the greatest 'possession' receiver in the history of the game.

He finished his career third on the career receptions list, eight in yards and fourth in receiving touchdowns.

2.) Randy Moss (1998-Present)

Few players change their position. Lawrence Taylor did. So did Randy Moss. The NFL's most dangerous deep threat, Moss has exhibited an uncanny 6th gear that has left defensive backs helpless on his way to nearly 150 receiving touchdowns.

A few down years in Oakland aside, Moss has been able to sustain his productivity at a staggering rate. Heading into the 2010 season, he's currently second on the all-time receiving touchdowns list (with a slim, but possible chance to catch Jerry Rice), and sixth in receiving yards (less than 800 yards by Isaac Bruce, number two on that list).

1.) Jerry Rice (1984-2004)

The. Greatest. Ever.

Regardless of era, team, or position, Jerry Rice is the greatest human being to ever put on a football uniform, and the 1990s were his heyday. In a career that saw Rice amass nearly 23,000 receiving yards, 1,550 receptions, and 200 touchdowns, Rice is the benchmark for any Hall of Fame receiver.

He is as synonymous with San Francisco as the Golden Gate Bridge or Rice-a-Roni (no pun intended). Jerry would ultimately be named to 13 Pro Bowls, 10 First Team All-Pro teams, and in 2010, will enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame.